Performance of solid waste landfills in earthquakes

Interpretation and analysis of observational data on the performance of solid waste landfills during earthquakes is the most reliable source of information on the seismic response of solid waste landfills. The data from several major California earthquakes indicate that the general performance of landfills during earthquakes is from good to excellent. None of the landfills on which observational data is available experienced major earthquake-induced damage. Recorded strong ground motion data indicate that amplification of both peak and spectral accelerations can occur at the top of a landfill. This, combined with the fact that only a limited number of landfills with geosynthetic liners and no landfill with a geosynthetic cover have been subjected to strong ground motions, indicate that attention to detail is warranted in the design of modem, geosynthetic-lined and/or covered landfills in areas of high seismicity.